The EU wants a post-Brexit transition period to end on December 31, 2020, its chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told reporters.

The European Commission on Wednesday put forward a draft negotiating mandate that calls for a transition period following the U.K.'s formal withdrawal from the EU, during which London would have to fulfill all obligations while losing all voting rights in the bloc.

“The European Union's position is that this would run logically to the 31st of December 2020, because that is also the duration of the current multiannual financial framework [the EU's seven-year budget cycle],” Barnier said.

He did not comment on what would happen at that point if the U.K. was not ready to end the transition at the end of 2020, or how the U.K.’s payments into the EU budget would be calculated in the event of any prolonging of the transition period.

Speaking at a news conference in Brussels, Barnier said that on the day of withdrawal the EU's international agreements, including its existing free-trade agreements and accords with other countries, would no longer apply to the U.K. and London should take steps to renegotiate them.

“Legally speaking, mechanically, the day after the U.K. has left the EU institutions, the U.K. will no longer be covered by our international agreements,” Barnier said. “They will be leaving approximately 750 agreements, which we have signed.”

Reacting to Barnier's proposal for a shorter transition period, a spokesperson for Theresa May said: “The prime minster has said around two years, the point about our implementation period is we want it to be precisely or just as long as is needed to get the arrangement in place. That is the whole point of an implementation period."

"We are currently looking at around two years, 24 months; the Commission have said just over 21 months, but it is a negotiation, and that will begin shortly."

“Across the piste they are setting out their negotiating position and that is exactly what you would expect to happen at this stage in the process,” the spokesperson added.

Barnier also said that the framework of the future relationship between the U.K. and the EU, presumably a robust trade deal and political association agreement, must be known by October, to give time for ratification of a withdrawal agreement by the European Parliament and the British parliament, so it is clear what follows the transition. He refused to speculate on what would happen if the U.K. parliament rejects the eventual Brexit deal. “In general I hate speculation and speculators,” he said.

The EU chief negotiator also did not elaborate on reports that Spain is seeking an agreement with the U.K. on Gibraltar as a condition for agreeing to the transition, which requires the unanimous support of the EU27. "I can confirm that for the transition period, as for everything else, I will be working to ensure that the decisions that are made will be made unanimously by consensus," he told reporters.

Speaking in the House of Commons Wednesday, May made clear she would not forget about the Rock. “We’re not going to exclude Gibraltar from our negotiations from either the implementation agreement or the future agreement,” she said.

The negotiating mandate will now be sent to the European Council, where it is expected to be turned into detailed negotiating directives to be issued in late January. The directives on negotiating the transition will be followed by further directives on the talks about the framework of a future relationship.

Related stories on these topics:

Latimer Alder

I have a better idea.

Let’s leave on 29 March 2019.

Simple.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 12:48 PM CET

François P

“Speaking at a news conference, Barnier said that on the day of withdrawal the EU’s international agreements, including its existing free trade agreements and accords with other countries, would no longer apply to the U.K. and London should take steps to renegotiate them.”

That is a disaster for the UK. Also, the standstill transition phase is too short IMO.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 1:03 PM CET

Jacques

Excellent news. The transition period is for Britain’s benefit only and not the EU’s.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 1:24 PM CET

Ronald Grünebaum

@ Latimer Alder

I hope your idea is based on those 58 detailed impact assessments.
Because just dropping out only sounds good after a few pints.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 1:28 PM CET

tpk

If UK would not be ready by then this should also backfire on EU. So this is probably just trying to get them going over there in London? Or rather make them realize how impossble the whole undertaking is?

Posted on 12/20/17 | 1:52 PM CET

xyc

Well there you go, at least it confirms those WTO schedules are definitely needed for exit day, even if a transition does go ahead (that in itself is by no means a certainty yet). As we can safely assume the UK doesn’t have the bandwidth to negotiate dozens, if not 100’s of agreements in that short a time, at least it partially forces the bluff of those calling for WTO.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 1:52 PM CET

Potteries

Look, disaster or not, we cannot take it back now. Those EUromaniacs don’t want us anyway! We had no business joining Europe, best to mend our relationship with our American cousins while we can!

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:18 PM CET

Jodocus5

@Latimer Alder

“I have a better idea.
Let’s leave on 29 March 2019.
Simple.”

Simplistic you mean, surely? I wouldn’t be so sure that Brexit will actually happen if I were you.

How about Exit from Brexit? What about business shying away from Brexit? What the fading popular support in the UK for “Hard brexit”? What about the meaningful vote in Parliament on the negotiation result? What about the possibility of the current Tory government breaking up? What about the possibility of general elections before Brexit is finalised?

There is a distinct possibility that the UK will simply regain its senses and stay in the EU.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:20 PM CET

xyc

François P

“That is a disaster for the UK. Also, the standstill transition phase is too short IMO.”

Agreed, but at least it’seasier that way to set the context that any prolongation of said transition entails additional budgetary commitments above and beyond the agreed settlement. Also now Mr Fox can earn his keep and go renegotiate these agreements which he has always guaranteed would be swift and easy, and better for the UK than what they have through the EU has today.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:30 PM CET

ralphmalph

@All the EULovers – The UK is not trying to negotiate all these 58 trade agreements with other countries that the EU have. The UK is “grandfathering” the agreements, which means that a side letter will be signed meaning that the current conditions with an allocation of quota rate tariffs split between the EU and the UK will continue after brexit until a new agreement is agreed. This is being done with the agreement of the EU because the EU does not want all these countries to say to the EU we have a signed agreement here, that says you are taking xxx tons of goods of us quota free (the UK may have taken 50% of said goods prior) and we expect you to take the full quota, Mr EU,
There is no need to negotiate Tariff Schedules at the WTO countries just publish them and if after a period of years another country thinks they are discriminatory then they can lodge a complaint. There is no process to lodge a complaint before a schedule is issued and trading been underway for a period of time, at the WTO.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:43 PM CET

klv

based on skill of mr dd uk ll be cool with only 58 impact assestments!uk want the bycicle,now is really time to find a professional,properly mr chris froome!
just winding up brexiteers!now time is really short to organize all the stuff for uk.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:43 PM CET

klv

@ralph “This is being done with the agreement of the EU because the EU does not want all these countries to say to the EU we have a signed agreement here, that says you are taking xxx tons of goods of us quota free (the UK may have taken 50% of said goods prior) and we expect you to take the full quota, Mr EU,
There is no need to negotiate Tariff Schedules at the WTO countries just publish them and if after a period of years another country thinks they are discriminatory then they can lodge a complaint. There is no process to lodge a complaint before a schedule is issued and trading been underway for a period of time, at the WTO.”

proper font of all this?sound really quite smelly rubbish sorry!

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:46 PM CET

klv

especially 1st part mfn rule on trade deal “his is being done with the agreement of the EU because the EU does not want all these countries to say to the EU we have a signed agreement here, that says you are taking xxx tons of goods of us quota free (the UK may have taken 50% of said goods prior) and we expect you to take the full quota, Mr EU,”

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:50 PM CET

ralphmalph

@KLV – Type this into google it is an FT article about how the UK and EU are working hand on hand over the schedules and the tariff quotas.

UK and EU strike initial deal on WTO quotas in Brexit breakthrough

Posted on 12/20/17 | 2:53 PM CET

Jacques

@ralphmalph
Grandfathering is not happening – Australia, US and SA are against. And besides there’s not even a procedure in place to allow Britain to retake up its WTO membership.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:00 PM CET

ralphmalph

@Jacques – No they are not against, they see this as a time to get a better deal off both the UK and the EU over the tariff quota rates.
The UK is a current member of the WTO we always have been since we joined. Like Germany and France and all the other 25 are. All countries just agreed to let the EU speak for them at the WTO. They never gave up membership.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:04 PM CET

Latimer Alder

‘Because just dropping out only sounds good after a few pints.’

Delighted to confirm that I’m about to complete my 10th year of sobriety.

The writers of the EU treaties thought 2 years from Article 50 would be enough to complete the separation. So we’d just be obeying those treaties.

What’s the problem? A bit of admin may take a while to catch up. But its only paperwork.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:12 PM CET

Latimer Alder

‘Speaking at a news conference, Barnier said that on the day of withdrawal the EU’s international agreements, including its existing free trade agreements and accords with other countries, would no longer apply to the U.K. and London should take steps to renegotiate them.”

Sure.

‘Hello Fred. We’re leaving the EU,. Are you happy to carry on bilaterally for a while. Same terms..?’

‘Right on good buddy. We both gain from good trade. Good luck to you (and Poland) escaping their clutches. We wish you well..’

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:15 PM CET

Dipsomaniax

@Jaques – the UK is already a member of the WTO. As ralphmalph points out, the UK and EU are working together to sort out the post-Brexit trade situation, particularly market access by non-UK/EU countries, where the UK/EU preference is to keep the status quo.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:18 PM CET

Latimer Alder

‘Or rather make them realize how impossble the whole undertaking is?’

Impossible = breaking the speed of light. Or escaping from a Black Hole.

Not ‘impossible’ but administratively a bit complex = acting strictly in terms with the Treaties we and others have signed. Article 50 makes explicit that we can leave EU.

And we all employ politicians and lawyers and ‘civil servants’ and other parasites to sort out the admin. Time for them to step up and do their jobs.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:20 PM CET

Peter G

That’s adorable Ralphmalph, that you think Britain can just assume that it can sign trade deals with 58 other countries without asking any of them if that would be okay. The deals were made with the EU. Britain doesn’t just get to copy and paste the same deals without the consent of the counter parties. What on earth are you thinking?

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:21 PM CET

Potteries

It doesn’t matter now, we’re not getting any deal and we will look like desperate fools waiting for whatever scraps they offer to humiliate us! LEAVE NOW!

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:24 PM CET

klv

@peterg”That’s adorable Ralphmalph, that you think Britain can just assume that it can sign trade deals with 58 other countries without asking any of them if that would be okay. The deals were made with the EU. Britain doesn’t just get to copy and paste the same deals without the consent of the counter parties. What on earth are you thinking?”
what the heck??so easy!is like a walking in the park for uk!!

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:39 PM CET

Saintixe

@peter g

I know. Long sigh.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:41 PM CET

ralphmalph

@PeterG – Read this and then try and understand it. I know it is hard for you.
The UK is not negotiating new trade deals at the moment. All it is doing is agreeing that the current terms of trade with the countries that the EU has preferential trade deals with will continue for a period of years after brexit. The process is to just sign a letter between the UK and said country that they both agree. The issue is the allocation of tariff rate quotas which are being worked at in conjunction with the EU.
I think you are Canadian. Type “May Trudeau agree seamless trade after Brexit.” The Canadian Government has agreed with the UK Govt that after Brexit, Ceta will continue immediately after with no break.
Can you give some indication that you have understood this basic issue?

Posted on 12/20/17 | 3:55 PM CET

Latimer Alder

‘you think Britain can just assume that it can sign trade deals with 58 other countries without asking any of them if that would be okay.’

I’m struggling to think of circumstances where a 3rd country WOULDN’T want to continue a deal it has already laboriously negotiated. There may be a few who would choose to wilfully damage their trade. But not many I think….

Posted on 12/20/17 | 4:26 PM CET

Just a EU guy

@ralphmalph said “Ceta will continue immediately after with no break.”

That is not exactly what they say. Canada and UK will sign a deal based on CETA, with some differences. Trudeau mentioned that some changes need to be negotiated so you can assume that they are will be favorable to Canada, else he will not have mentioned it. There might indeed be grandfathering in the meantime, since Canada PM assured a “seamless transition”.

CETA deal is recent so it is a special case. You cannot assume that other UK trading partners will have the same incentives and that grandfathering will happen. That is a very interesting question and it must keep British diplomats busy.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 4:45 PM CET

YellowSubmarine

I hope that Barnier has run this past UK labour party and the rest of the political remain camp first. They do not like dates in documents as they are not a good idea apparently.

I have been informed by a reliable source that Remainers are now in the process of removing December 25 th as the official start of Christmas and New year could also be in doubt.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 4:54 PM CET

ralphmalph

@Just an EU guy
Yes the term I should have used was “the terms and conditions of CETA will continue immediatley after brexit for trade between the UK and Canada.” It is of interest to Canada because 43% of Canadian exports to the EU come to just one country, yep you guessed it, the UK. Would not surprise me if the Canadians request to re-negotiate CETA with the EU because it is only half as good as it was for them.
No where have I said that all 58 countries would instantly agree to grandfather. I have just said that this is the UK government strategy.
Having said that it would seem illogical for countries that have preferential trade with the UK now to say after Brexit we want tariffs back up, seeing as 95% of those countries have economies that are smaller than the UK and the UK is a large open importer.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:00 PM CET

cliff longlands

Any body would think from the way you gals and guys speak ,is that this wretched ,eu is doing just fine ,its not its failing , its a dictatorship ,,get on with it and leave now .

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:02 PM CET

Just a EU guy

@latimer

“I’m struggling to think of circumstances where a 3rd country WOULDN’T want to continue a deal it has already laboriously negotiated”

First size of the Market is not the same. Country X may have given some “discounts” (tariffs, quotas) to access EU markets. But it might not be ready to offer the same benefits to UK simply because it is smaller.

Secondly, the nature of the imports and exports might not be the same. It is not because country X exports potatoes to the EU that UK actually consumes those potatoes. They might be sold in other EU countries. Any trade concession made by country X to be able to sell potatoes to EU no longer makes sense for a UK trade relationship.

Also UK is in a weak position right now, since it has to renegotiate all its agreements. This is a good opportunity for any third country to get better terms now than those it could negotiate later, when UK situation will be normalized.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:15 PM CET

Just a EU guy

@ralphmalph
“Having said that it would seem illogical for countries that have preferential trade with the UK now to say after Brexit we want tariffs back up, seeing as 95% of those countries have economies that are smaller than the UK and the UK is a large open importer.”

You are probably right. I mean, they have incentives to renegotiate but they probably have also incentives to avoid trade disruptions. So they may very well allow to grandfather existing agreements.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:23 PM CET

ralphmalph

@Just an EU guy – Also what most smaller countries want is free trade in food and agriculture. Because of its geographical size the EU can across all the countries grow pretty much everything ok Maple syrup maybe not. Seeing as the EU is protectionist on agriculture the majority of tariffs and quotas that it leaves in its FTA’s are agriculture based, plus textiles.
The UK does not grow a lot of fruits etc so would have no problems having zero tariffs and no quotas on bananas, Oranges, Olives and Olive Oil, etc.
So all these other 58 countries will be aware that be nice to the UK now then first in the queue for when the real trade deal is signed.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:31 PM CET

xyc

alphmalph

@PeterG – Read this and then try and understand it. I know it is hard for you.
The UK is not negotiating new trade deals at the moment. All it is doing is agreeing that the current terms of trade with the countries that the EU has preferential trade deals with will continue for a period of years after brexit. The process is to just sign a letter between the UK and said country that they both agree. The issue is the allocation of tariff rate quotas which are being worked at in conjunction with the EU.
I think you are Canadian. Type “May Trudeau agree seamless trade after Brexit.” The Canadian Government has agreed with the UK Govt that after Brexit, Ceta will continue immediately after with no break.
Can you give some indication that you have understood this basic issue?”

This was indeed a positive political statement, but as always the devil is in the detail. He stated that Ceta would “form the basis for the way we move forward in the post-Brexit world”, but also qualified that “After that, there will obviously be opportunities for us to look at particular details that could be improved upon for the specific needs and opportunities in the bilateral relationship between the UK and Canada.” A working group was to be set up to work on that. On other terms, not a carry over as-is, rather a great opportunity for Canada to renegotiate the terms.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:33 PM CET

klv

@xyc”This was indeed a positive political statement, but as always the devil is in the detail. He stated that Ceta would “form the basis for the way we move forward in the post-Brexit world”, but also qualified that “After that, there will obviously be opportunities for us to look at particular details that could be improved upon for the specific needs and opportunities in the bilateral relationship between the UK and Canada.” A working group was to be set up to work on that. On other terms, not a carry over as-is, rather a great opportunity for Canada to renegotiate the terms.”

stop on in canadian deal there is a clause that said if other country get better deal ,eu must upgrade their deal.
But my doubt is same one could be on others japan and s korea and other eu is negotiating,indeed!that s also barnier is so tough to don t put services i think

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:47 PM CET

klv

meant spot on sorry!

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:48 PM CET

Latimer Alder

@just an EU guy

I don’t dubt that it in the long run 3rd countries and UK will end up with different terms than they do with EU today. That is natural.

But I doubt if many are prepared to simply ditch their existing arrangements completely in the expectation that they may get better/different terms at some indeterminate time in the future. A bird in the hand is surely better than two in the bush. Or than none at all if they just tear up the deal.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:50 PM CET

Peter G

Well Ralph, that’s one out of fifty eight. Canada has indeed suggested it might do exactly that. But you will notice that my country, Canada, has indicated it would consider this. It wasn’t a right Britain had. Can you figure that out?

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:53 PM CET

xyc

@ralphmalph – The UK is not trying to negotiate all these 58 trade agreements with other countries that the EU have. The UK is “grandfathering” the agreements

You are unbelievably naive and deluded to think international states, many of which smaller than the UK, will give up their unique and possibly only ever chance to leverage an advantage in a bilateral trade talk with the UK, and not look to extract their pound of flesh.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 5:56 PM CET

ralphmalph

@xyc – You have just proved you do not have a clue what is going on, read the thread the proof and the links are there.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 6:04 PM CET

Aruso

@Ronald Grünebaum

Never drink Ron, you are a miserable sod sober, you’d be manically depressive/ing drunk.

Cheer up for the love of life.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 6:13 PM CET

David T

@Just a EU guy
“That is not exactly what they say. Canada and UK will sign a deal based on CETA, with some differences. Trudeau mentioned that some changes need to be negotiated so you can assume that they are will be favorable to Canada”

Yeah but no. There will need to be changes because the focus will shift for both. I know you all have this ‘we’ll be b|tch slapped by everyone’ thing going on but don’t convince yourself of your own ridiculous bias.

Canada will negotiate hard and fair or it won’t get the deal it and the UK want.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 6:18 PM CET

Latimer Alder

‘You are unbelievably naive and deluded to think international states, many of which smaller than the UK, will give up their unique and possibly only ever chance to leverage an advantage in a bilateral trade talk with the UK, and not look to extract their pound of flesh.’

Sure. But if they think that they will gain that advantage by cancelling an existing deal, they are taking a big gamble.

Maybe we’ll find other more congenial folk who wish to trade and will never come back.

Burning your boats in the hope/expectation that another party will give you a lift ain’t a sensible strategy.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 6:28 PM CET

Peter G

No Latimer they are not taking a big gamble. There is no country outside of the EU where trade balances are not a negligible footnote to overall economic activity. We are speaking of decimal points. They can buy what they use to buy from Britain just about anywhere else and negotiate other market access just as easily as Britain can. And they have the time, years, to do it. Only in the UK will these decimal points of trade volume add up to trouble.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 8:22 PM CET

kermelen

@ Latimer Alder

“I have a better idea. Let’s leave on 29 March 2019. Simple.”

How wonderful it must be to live in this world of the simplest.

But I am afraid you don’t get Mr Barnier’s meaning. December 2020 is not the day the UK will leave the EU but the day its transition to a new relationship should be completed.

Leaving on 29 March 2019 without working out the future relationship with the EU is certainly an option. But it’s not the one Britain seeks. Mrs May did ask for a transition to a new relationship and Mr Barnier is merely answering her request by setting a closure limit that is supposed to be acceptable for both the British government and the EU commission.

But you know better. As much Brexiteers do. Life would be so much simpler without all these foreigners living abroad.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 8:37 PM CET

Global Europe

The EU should stop wasting time with the UK. It’s a lose lose situation but fortunately not so much for the EU. So let’s focus instead of the upcoming FTA with the Mercosur, Mexico, etc. The EU has a once in a generation chance to fill the vacuum created by the lack of American leadership. The UK will sorely lose out but it’s not our problem, they made their bed, now they can lie in it.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 8:41 PM CET

xyc

Jaysus, the drama gets better every day. So a week aor so ago, David Davis pledged to resign if Damian Green was made to resign as a result of current enquiries. Now May has asked Damian Green to resign, and he did. So will DD go or is this yet another one of his bluffs being called and egg all over his face?

Posted on 12/20/17 | 10:28 PM CET

wow

Compulsive lies from the Pro-EU as usual.

Not a meber of WTO? LOL We are a Founding Member a listed on their membership page in our own right. NO Eu country gives up it’s own membership to the WTO.

That’s all they have is lies.

WTO/membership page website:

‘ MEMBER INFORMATION
United Kingdom and the WTO

This page gathers information on the United Kingdom’s participation in the WTO. The United Kingdom has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 1 January 1948. It is a member State of the European Union (more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) ‘

Membership of plurilateral agreements

Signatory to the Civil Aircraft Agreement
Party to the Government Procurement Agreement
Signatory to the Information Technology Agreement

‘Britain Simply Isn’t Going To Have A WTO Problem Post-Brexit – Forbes
FORBES dot com
1 Nov 2016 – I’ve checked this by actually talking to the WTO itself when I enquired about the insistences of Nick Clegg on the matter. I was greeted with gales of laughter on the point and a gentle pointing out that Britain was currently a member of the WTO. We were a founding member, we are a member today and we’ll be a member in future’

’10 things to know about the World Trade Organization (WTO) | The …
Institute for the government dot org
22 Jun 2017 – The UK is already a WTO member but will need to extricate itself from the European Union (EU) ‘schedules’. The UK is a member of the WTO in its own right, having cofounded the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the WTO’s predecessor, with other 22 countries in 1948. It does not have to reapply to join the WTO once it leaves the EU.’

Posted on 12/20/17 | 10:44 PM CET

Mark Boyd

I think we are headed for a Norway/Swiss style deal. May will eventually back down over her red lines once it becomes clear the EU won’t offer a deal which offers us the same access as we currently have.
A short transition piles tremendous pressure on May hence she’s more likely to go for a soft brexit.
Business and Industry won’t keep quiet if we go for a hard brexit.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 10:45 PM CET

Mark Boyd

@Globaleurope,
This would’ve been a golden opportunity for us, to lead the world with the EU’s backing in the absence of American leadership.
Unfortunately the brexiteers have their own deluded agenda, which is slowly distancing our European partners from us.
I think this is going to cause a tremendous loss of influence for us on the world stage as shown with us losing our ICJ judge and again losing the vote on the Chagos Islands issue in which most EU countries abstained and many Commonwealth countries including India voted against us.
The Brexiteers’ delusions are affecting all of us.
We cannot survive in this world with only the US backing us. The US is not as strong as it once was. If we have both the US and EU backing us (as we previously had), we’d be unbeatable.
The Commonwealth countries excluding Australia and Canada don’t really care about us. They repeatedly keep voting against us.
It’s something the brexiteers need to realise quickly before the damage done is irreversible.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 10:59 PM CET

wow

@Mark Boyd

Subjective unsubstantiated nonsense as usual.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:05 PM CET

Steuersklave

@ Mark Boyd

The UK could never lead the EU. France and Germany can. The reasons for this are basically to do with the legacies of the French Revolution and Napoleonic imperialism.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:10 PM CET

wow

@Mark Boyd

The internet must be such a pain for you (and Politico and the rest of you complulsive pro-eu liars). No 1984 memory hole anymore. Such a shame.

Trudeau confirms post-brexit trade deal from his own mouth:

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:23 PM CET

wow

@mark boyd

Australia confirms post-brexit trade deal:

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:23 PM CET

ralphmalph

Mark Boyd is an anagram of Tony Blair. Middle name D.N Delusional Nutter.

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:24 PM CET

wow

@Mark

USA confirms post-brexit trade deal:

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:26 PM CET

wow

@Mark

Japan confirms post-brexit trade deal as exact same as any the EU may finally come up with:

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:30 PM CET

wow

@Mark

Chinese Economic and Global Financial Centre partnership….

Posted on 12/20/17 | 11:59 PM CET

Banana rEUpublic

At 10 billion a year net, 3 months off the transition is a 2.5billion saving for the UK. No complaints at all about that. The EU just needs to decide who’s going to fill that hole now.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 12:26 AM CET

Mark Boyd

@wow,
We can sign trade deals with a Norway/Swiss deal too.
What’s your point ?

@Steuersklave,
We’ve had the best of both worlds.
Special relationship with the US and being a member of the EU.
We could act as a bridge between the US and Europe.
We can’t anymore. The EU won’t give much importance to anything we say.
We also lose the ability to impose effective sanctions on a country. Without the EU’s backing, sanctions imposed by us are meaningless. And America doesn’t follow our lead, they just do whatever they want and expect us to follow them.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 12:33 AM CET

xyc

@wow
Are you 10 y/o? Videos of aspirational diplomatic niceties do not equate to ink on paper of a binding treaties. Grow up.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 12:34 AM CET

edel

@wow, sorry, but you are the one look desperate, not us.

Yes, everyone expresses intention to deal with UK, who would say no? Even the EU says they want to deal with the UK in the middle of the divorce. But then comes reality. The UK will be desperate to find partners and those knows UK’s desperation for signing something quick so every one will have the upper hand in the negotiations with the UK.

Unless you include large markets like China, India or the USA, any other will have little impact in the UK’s economy because distance matters my friend. If you approach markets like India, China or the US you will soon discover the price of those succulent honey pots; they will demand concessions like free visas, much lower regulations on industries (mostly safety related) and independent court systems regulating the trade between.

Then, markets like Canada and Japan already have deals with the EU so UK will take years to enjoy a trade that, within the EU, would already had much earlier.

Don’t worry, UK will do just fine, UK is a large diversified economy and what is more important, with a certain degree of flexibility, but don’t fool anyone, there will be a cost, specially to those in impoverished areas and lower incomes. At the end, the UK will still receive similar rates of migrants, the EU’ fees will be replaced by both the inflation and opportunity costs lost On the other hand, the UK courts will still have to relinquish power when dealing with any other mayor trading partner.. and just wait for demands from the US to change many British legislation. History will see it as a lost decade where UK gave up a leadership position within the EU to become a second degree power begging for trade here and there.

@wow, like mentioned in the past, I loved the idea that you claim to have so much knowledge than all leading UK universities, top London law firms, leading business publications, leading economists, etc… more than all of then combined!

Posted on 12/21/17 | 12:43 AM CET

Priscilla du Bleu

@Francois P
“That is a disaster for the UK. Also, the standstill transition phase is too short IMO.”

Yes and no.

Actually, the 2 years after triggering already ARE the transitional period, to my understanding. They would – presumably – do if the UK had known what she wants before triggering and done all the necessary preparations properly. Of course one runs out of time if one starts far too late. Actual negotiating deadline will be october 2018 = 1.5 years after triggering. The UK started making decisions as of late, roughly 9 months in = 50% of available time wasted.

Guess no one among us who hasn’t faced this kind of situation once or twice during studies – only that in our case it was a seminar paper or a term paper, needed for a course attention certificate (pleading guilty here 🙂 ).

Posted on 12/21/17 | 5:32 AM CET

Priscilla du Bleu

@Francois P:

The feetdragging goes on :-). Unless you have already – you might enjoy an article in the indy today: “Theresa May no longer avoids answering questions, she avoids avoiding them. In two grand hours of interrogation, the Prime Minister did not even so much as dignify a single question with a non-answer”

Posted on 12/21/17 | 6:06 AM CET

Anthony Chambers

For once m. Barnier sounds perfectly sensible. Has someone given him a beating so that he properly representing the EU27 leaders again, rather than his own agenda? This is all perfectly fine. Every major country with a trade deal has already agreed to extend the treaties on the same terms, with a view to deepening them at a later date.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 7:25 AM CET

wow

@xyc @mark @edel

Rattled.

Your nonsense is easily disproved nowadays.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:13 AM CET

wow

@Mark

The UK would not be a go between for the EU and USA anymore, the EU seeks to usurp all the UK’s power in the world and become the go-between for the UK and USA.

You’re delusional about what a federalisation coup means. You are delusional what a joint foreign policy means. There would be no need for Theresa to meet or talk to Trudeau, Trump, Shinzo, Turnbull or anyone else if we stay in the EU. Nor will any other eu27 countries leaders have any point to their existence in foreign relations with 168 countries in the world if the MEP and Commissioner coup is allowed on economy, tax, foreign policy and an army as they arey seeking this transfer of power to them, so THEY can talk for your current leader!

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:20 AM CET

Latimer Alder

@edel

‘History will see it as a lost decade where UK gave up a leadership position within the EU to become a second degree power begging for trade here and there.’

‘History will see that the wise UK people chose to escape the malign decaying clutches of the globally irrelevant EU and rejoined the Big Wide World as an independent self-determined country’

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:21 AM CET

wow

@edel

slanderous nonsense. I provide proof from the direct source, which is more important than my own opinion. It the pro-eu like you who provide no proof and spout their useless compulsive lies all day.

You guys don;’like me because you are just left with insults and whatabouttery making you look exactly as you are: pretty pathetic.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:25 AM CET

Priscilla du Bleu

@Potteries
“It doesn’t matter now, we’re not getting any deal and we will look like desperate fools waiting for whatever scraps they offer to humiliate us! LEAVE NOW!”

It would not matter if the UK left ‘NOW’ (technically impossible, methinks) or later as scheduled. Weak negotiation position with both the EU andcthe ROW (rest of world) won’t change. Weak position = weak position.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:30 AM CET

wow

@xyc

So I just want to get this right…. they have all confirmed from their mouths that a trade deal will happen post brexit and HOW it will happen and the UK has confirmed stood next to them….. but you feel they are all lying to you and the above clips are not reality?

Priscilla du Bleu

Like: I herewith publicly declare that I will bequeath our London real estate to the commenter wow in my last will …:-D

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:35 AM CET

wow

@Priscilla

Lies as usual.

The EU have never *completed* a trade deal with anyone larger than the UK. They are too scared.

As all trade deals the reduced EU27 have done are below the UK’s size as the fifth largest economy. We have the same benefit as the EU in this respect, that they are also all smaller than us.

You should save these arguments for tiny Belgium. They don’t mathematically work for the UK.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:36 AM CET

wow

@Priscilla

They cannot be signed while we are in the EU.

Why do you compulsively lie and leave out key information? ……….because you HAVE to or your utterings make no sense.

The reality is there for everyone to see.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:38 AM CET

wow

@Priscilla

Whatabouttery as usual. your crystal ball is nicer than reality that has actual happened, for your fragile ego and all your so far wrong predictions.

It’s all very predictable but you are not fooling anyone but yourself.

Posted on 12/21/17 | 8:43 AM CET

wow

trade deal hehe

Posted on 12/21/17 | 9:22 AM CET

wow

*another one

Posted on 12/21/17 | 9:23 AM CET

Jack Boot

The likes of Priscilla du Hun / Mark Boyd wont change the facts.
Simple fact is that the UK’s leave the EU at 11pm on March 29th 2019.
There may be a short transition period until end of December 2020.
In the meantime we are free to negotiate any ratify as many trade deals we like.
The UK has a huge market in the UK and EU access to it remains vital for the EU.
Trade They cannot be signed (legally), until the second we are free to do so.
It may even be legal for a trade deal to be signed before then so long as they are ‘post dated’. (until 1 second after the transition period).
More than 1.2 MILLION EU jobs and a 90 BILLION Euro trade surplus foe the EU depends on it. After brexit, the EU will face a much reduced share of the UK market.
And there are many who want a trade deal with the UK where EU expensive and subsidised products will no longer be completive. And the reason the EU wants British markets to have the same regulations is to try and prevent others from outside the EU competing with EU products in the UK market. Only an imbecile would assume that the UK has a weak position in regard to trade !